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Columbus—Today, The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus sent the following letter to the members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation, requesting a full bipartisan investigation into foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election.

To the Members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation:

We write to express our strong support for a bipartisan Congressional investigation to determine the extent to which foreign governments attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Our nation’s intelligence agencies – including the CIA and FBI – have evidence that the Russian government, under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, engaged in espionage to hack email accounts belonging to the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and John Podesta, the chairman of Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

The emails were then released to the public in the months leading up to the election. This targeted release included internal campaign documents, strategies, and the personal communications of candidates and campaign staff. News reports also show that “fake news” articles were disseminated by bloggers operating in Russia and that attempts were made to hack into state voter databases.

What we have learned so far is troubling and demands investigation. We must know the full extent of foreign interference in our elections. We must also know if any United States citizens were in contact with foreign intelligence agencies or actors during the campaign. To ignore these brazen acts will surely encourage foreign governments into further acts of sabotage in future elections.

Nothing is more important to democracy, and indeed the future of our republic, than fair elections free of outside interference. We believe the American people deserve a thorough investigation by a special bipartisan committee or commission. The hearings, underlying evidence, findings, and recommendations from the committee should be as public and as transparent as possible. This information is necessary to fully understand what transpired in this election and to prevent similar actions from undermining future elections.

Columbus—Today, State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) testified before members of the State and Local Government Committee on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 to urge Commissioner Robert Manfred to reinstate Pete Rose to Major League Baseball. The resolution also encourages the Baseball Writers' Association to consider Pete Rose for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) appeared on MSNBC's "Sports Matters" hosted by Rob Simmelkjaer to discuss his Senate Resolution to reintstate Pete Rose to Major League Baseball and make him eligible to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Columbus---Today, State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 to urge MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred to reinstate Pete Rose to Major League Baseball. The resolution also encourages the Baseball Writers' Association to consider Pete Rose for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.